Activity 3.3.2 Product Life Cycle

Introduction

Environmental engineering concentrates on developing a sustainable future by preventing pollution, assessing environmental impact, and designing water distribution systems, recycling methods, sewage treatment plants, and pesticide prevention. This career provides a challenging and satisfying opportunity to protect the health and safety of people and our environment.

“The challenge for today’s waste management teams is both to reduce the amount of waste entering the system and to develop the protocols and processes required to achieve 100-percent recycling of all future waste.”

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The challenge for “green” engineers is to make products that are environmentally friendly. Every product has some impact on the environment. Some products use natural resources, are manufactured, and are then transported to stores across the world. The product may include packaging and may be used anywhere from one time to several years.

In this activity you will create a poster that demonstrates the life cycle of a product of your choice.

Equipment

  • PLTW Gateway notebook
  • Pencil
  • Computer
  • Magazines
  • Scissors
  • Poster board (or recycled cardboard)
  • Construction paper
  • Markers
  • Tape
  • Glue
  • Zip ties

Procedure

In teams of two or three,you will create a product life cycle poster.

  1. With your team members, decide on a product and research its life cycle. Your teacher must approve of your product.
  2. Research the product life cycle by answering the following questions:
  • How are the raw materials acquired? (mined, cut trees, recycled material)
  • How are the raw materials processed?
  • How is the product manufactured?
  • How is the product packaged? (If possible, attach the packaging to your poster.)
  • How is the product distributed?
  • How is the product used? (single use, reusable, durable)
  • Is the product reusable, recyclable, or does it need to be disposed of?
  1. Find pictures in magazines or on the packaging of your product that demonstrates each of the eight stages in the life cycle of that product. By using a magazine picture, you are recycling.You can also sketch the step or find a printable picture online. Try to be as “green” as possible in your poster design.
  2. Label the steps of a product lifecycle on the poster.
  3. Type or neatly write a paper describing what is occurring at each of the eight stages of the product’s life cycle.

Conclusion

  1. What is meant by product life cycle?
  1. Why is it important for an engineer who is developing a product to consider the potential life cycle of the item?
  1. What could be changed to make your product more environmentally friendly?
  1. Read the product life cycle posters created by your classmates. List the other products and explain what is usually done at the end of that product’s life cycle.

© 2011 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

PLTW Gateway – Energy and the Environment Activity3.3.2Product Life Cycle– Page 1